The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-16
CHAPTER XXIX-Continued.

The Texars were furious at Germans inter
Fuption.
With the exception of Squambo, never before
since their childhood had third person seer
them together And this person was their NOR
tai enemy. Their first impulse was to hurl
themselves at her and murder her, SO as to save
the secret of their double lite.
The child raised herself in Zermahs arms
and holding out her little hands, she cried:
81 am afraid am afraid"
At gesture from the two brothers Souambc
stepped roughly up to the half breed. took her
by the shoulder, and pushed her back into her
room and shut the door.
Then Souam DO returned to the brothers. His
attitude told them they had only to command
for him to obey But the interruption had been
10 unexpected that il had troubled them more
than might be supposed. They seemed to con-
suit each other with look.
Zermah had thrown herself into corner OF
the room, after laying the little girl of
the beds. Her self-possesson returned to her;
and she went to the door to hear what was pass
ing. In a moment her fate would probably be
decided. But the Texars and Squambo had just
gone out of the hut, and were no longer within
earshos
And this Is what they were saying:
"Zermah must die"
"Sbe mustl If she escapes, or if the federals
get hold Of her, we are lost! She must die!"
This momentl' said Squambo
And knife in hand he had turned to go to the
hut when one of the Tears stopped him.
wait" said he. 1T will always be time
enough TO put Zermah out of the way; and we
have need of her take of the youngster.
Let see first how we stand. detachment of
Northerners is now in the cypress grove. Let
- FL IL . lrI-z e.
there is no proof as yet that the detachment
is coming this way. If it is coming shall
have time TO get away; if it is not coming we
can stop here and let it get deeper into the wids
of Florida, when it will be at our mercy. We
shall have time to muster the militia and cut off
the federal retreat. Some escaped from Kissi-
mere, but none will escape here"
This was obviously the best thing to do under
the circumstances. A large number of South
erners were in the neighborhood only waiting
for an opportunity to try a stroke at the feder-
ais One of the Texars could &C out and recon-
noitre, and then they could decide either to re-
main at Carneral isla nd move off to Cape
Sable. That could be done tomorrow, and
Squambo could be trusted to take care Of Ter
NAH whatever might be the result of the
ploration.
..As for the child" said one OF the brothers.
''it is our interest to keep her alive. She can
not have understood as Zermah did. and may
be the price of our ransom should one of US fall
into the hands of Captain Howick. To get back
his daughter, James Burbank would accept any
condition we like To impose"
..If Zermah dies" said the Indian. '.are you
not afraid that the child will die tool"
s'No, she will be we'll looked after, and
easily find az Indian woman to take the place of
the halfbree
do so then! We must not have anything to
fear from Zermah."
..well. whatever happens. we shall soon put
her out of the way"
And Zermah heard the brothers come back in
the wiewam.
What night it was for the unhappy woman,
She knew she was doomed, and yet she had no
thought for herself. but for Dy who would thus
be abandoned to the cruelty of these pitiless
men. It was to their interest that the child
should live, but when Zermah gone would
she survived And the thought OF this returned
to her SO often and took such obstinate posses
sion of her that she resolved to escape before
Texar could separate her from the child.
In the conversation she had overheard, she
had learned that one OF the Texars and his COM
panions was going to reconnoitre round the
lake evidently with the object Of fighting the
federal detachment should opportunity offer.
Texar would therefore be away with all his
men, and his brother would remain on the
island, SO as in the first place. not to be recog-
nized, and, in the second, to watch the hut.
Then was the time for Zermah to attempt her
escape Perhaps she might find weapon of
some sort and in case of surprise she would not
to use It,
The night went by. Vanly did Zermah listen
for some sign amongtthe signs on the island of
the arrival Of Captain Howick and the capture
of the Texars.
A few minutes before daybreak the little girl
awoke. Zermah gave her a few drops OF water.
Then looking at her if she would never see
her again, she clasped her in her arms At that
moment had anyone entered to tear her away |
from her charge she would have defended her
self with the fury of wild beast being taken
from her little ones
''What is the matter, Zermah?n asked the
child.
"Nothing-nothngw said the half
'And mamma-when shall see her againP |
"Soon." said Zermah; to-day, perhaps! Yes,
my dear! to-day hope near her"
"And the men I saw to-nightf
1.-THE men! Did you them!"
"Yes, and they made me afraid"
''But did you notice them9 Did you see how |
much they were alikel"
Yes"
"Well, remember to tell your father and your |
brother that there are two brothers Do you |
There two brothers Texar. so |
alike that you cannot tell one from the other.7
"Will you tell them that. too'" asked the child. |
"Yes. I'll tell them so. But if am not there
vou must not forget it."
'And why will not you be there7" asked by, |
putting her arms around the half breeds neck.
az shall be thcre. my dear. 1 shall be there |
But if we go out, we have long way to go, we
must get something to eat / will get you some
thing"
"And you'll"
al had something while you were asleep and
am not hungry"
The truth that Zermah could not have